UMBC Women’s Lacrosse Battles Hard at UAlbany, Secures Spot in America East Tournament!

Albany, N.Y. – In a thrilling game, the UMBC women’s lacrosse team faced off against UAlbany, ultimately losing 14-8 in the America East Conference. Despite this defeat, the Retrievers managed to secure a spot in the upcoming conference tournament.

Freshman attackman Emily Knapp was the standout performer, scoring four times and leading her team with a total of 62 points for the season (44 goals, 18 assists). Junior Lauryn Warfield also impressed, netting three goals for her second consecutive hat trick. Libby Staples, another junior, had a great game with three assists, while Ella Killian contributed significantly on defense with four ground balls and five draw controls. Isabella Fontana, the graduate goalie, made nine crucial saves to keep UMBC competitive.

The game had an exciting pace. Knapp scored the first goal for UMBC, leveling the score at 1-1 early in the first quarter. However, UAlbany quickly surged ahead, rattling off seven goals and taking an 8-2 lead by the second quarter. Down but not out, UMBC fought back with three consecutive goals, narrowing the gap to 8-5 just before halftime.

In the second half, Warfield brought the score to 10-7, keeping hope alive for the Retrievers. Unfortunately, UAlbany responded vigorously, scoring four more times and sealing the game.

UAlbany’s Mikaela Mooney matched Knapp’s four goals and added two assists, showcasing strong offensive talent from both teams. But UMBC struggled with 17 turnovers and were outshot 33-23, which contributed to their loss.

Looking ahead, UMBC will return to their home field next Friday to compete against Vermont, celebrating Senior Day. It’s a chance for the team to regroup and prepare for the challenges of the postseason.

This season, UMBC boasts a solid record of 11-3, showing promise as they approach the tournament. In recent years, women’s lacrosse has seen increased popularity, with a 2023 survey indicating that viewership for women’s sports, including lacrosse, has grown significantly—up 20% since 2020. This shift highlights a growing recognition of women’s athletic achievements and could bode well for UMBC as they strive for success in the postseason.

For more updates on women’s sports and their rising prominence, check out this detailed report from the Women’s Sports Foundation.

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